Teen held in St. Cloud death

St. Cloud Police arrested a 17-year-old man on Monday in connection with a deadly punch that killed a 20-year-old college student.

Police said information from the public led them to arrest the teen who threw the punch that left Colton Gleason of Greenfield dead.

Gleason was walking with friends in an alley at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday when a car passed close by the group. His father said Sunday that his understanding is that the car passed so close to the group that his son had his hands on the vehicle as he held his friends back from being hit.

After the near miss, police said the vehicle stopped and one of the car's occupants got out and punched Gleason, who hit his head when he fell to the ground.

Gleason was taken to St. Cloud Hospital, where he died Friday night from the blow to his head.

Authorities issued a call over the weekend asking for the public's help in identifying the assailant and the people in the vehicle. Police also asked those in the vehicle to come forward. Crimestoppers offered a reward of $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in the assault.

Police said that while it is unclear what prompted the attack, it does not appear that Gleason knew the attackers.

Police said the 17-year-old who they believe was involved in the assault was taken into custody at about 4:30 p.m. Monday and was being held in a juvenile detention center Monday evening.

No other details were available Monday night. St. Cloud Police plan to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday.